Before installing your kitchen cabinets, it‘s helpful to begin by assessing your practical needs and exploring different style options. You may have a number of kitchen gadgets that can find homes in built-in accessory drawer boxes or cutlery trays. Or you may prefer a built-in spice rack drawer, trash can pull-out, or even a custom wine cabinet. Any of these customized features can help make kitchen life easier and more organized. However, each of these items comes at a cost to be considered when budgeting your kitchen project.

Cabinets are top of mind among homeowners considering kitchen remodels, and it‘s easy to understand why. The role of cabinetry in the finished look and function of the space is crucial to the success of a kitchen design and the enjoyment of spending time there. And since roughly 60 percent of an average kitchen‘s cost is spent on the cabinetry, choosing the right cabinets is a critical decision in remodeling and in new construction.

Laminate is a highly processed, super-hard plastic that sticks to existing cabinet boxes with adhesive. You can buy this in sheets already coated with a self-stick adhesive; this is slightly more expensive, but also much more convenient and easier. As an alternative, you can apply the adhesive separately. Laminate is hard and durable, so it doesn‘t mold easily and can really only be used practically on very plainly styled cabinet boxes.